EVEN casual observers have remarked about the Hawaii flag's resemblance to the British Union Jack. Familiar flag
That likeness harkens back to the late 1700s, when British Capt. George Vancouver befriended and presented Kamehameha I with the British flag. In 1794, Kamehameha "ceded" the island of Hawaii to Britain's protection but kept the right to regulate his own internal affairs, according to "Hawaiian Monarchs and Their Palaces" by Richard Wisniewski.
For 22 years, the British flag flew over the king's home - and inspired the Hawaiian flag around 1816. The Union Jack was incorporated into the design, which includes eight red, white and blue stripes, one for each of the main islands of Hawaii.
Homegrown industrial hemp?
Hawaii is now closer to growing industrial hemp, a sister plant to marijuana that does not contain as much tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive chemical ingredient in marijuana.Yesterday, Gov. Ben Cayetano signed into law a bill that will allow an experimental plot of industrial hemp to be grown on the Big Island -- if the federal government approves the project.
And following the bill-signing ceremony, Alterna Applied Research Laboratories, a Los Angeles-based maker of hemp-based shampoo, gave the state a $200,000 grant to pay for a secured quarter-acre research plot on state agriculture land in Hilo.
Work on Natatorium delayed through July 23
A temporary restraining order barring the city from starting restoration work at the Waikiki War Memorial and Natatorium has been extended through July 23.The order was supposed to expire Saturday pending a hearing on a preliminary injunction that was to take place Friday. But the extension was agreed to by both the city and the Kaimana Beach Coalition, which opposes the $11.5 million full restoration, according to Kaimana Beach attorney Jim Bickerton.
The restraining order was issued July 1 by Circuit Judge Gail Nakatani.
The Kaimana Beach Coalition wants to stop the project from moving forward, arguing that the city should not be allowed to begin any work on the 70-year-old structure without obtaining all required permits.
The city contends that it should be allowed to begin work on land-based portions of the project since those permits have been obtained.
Residents confused by new trash pickup dates
City officials are asking the 45,000 families joining the ranks of automated trash pickup to be patient.The city received about 200 telephone calls yesterday regarding pickup changes, said Doug Woo, spokesman for the city Environmental Services Department.
"A majority of the calls coming in reflect people not knowing that pickup dates have changed or might come later in the day," Woo said.
All of the households moving to automated trash should have had their trashed picked up by yesterday, Woo said. The new pickups days are Monday and Thursday, Tuesday and Friday, or Wednesday and Saturday.
Woo said some of the complaints have come from those not used to later pickups, and families should wait until 4:30 p.m. before calling about a potential missed pickup.
Calls can be made to the Refuse Division through 5:30 p.m. at 527-5358. Woo said the seven individual base yards can also be contacted after 4:30. Listings can be found on page 35 of the Oahu telephone book's government section.
Chief engineer nominated for Hawaii County
HILO -- Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro has nominated a 24-year veteran of the Hawaii County Public Works Department to be head of the department.If confirmed by the Hawaii County Council, Robert Yanabu would become chief engineer, replacing Jiro Sumida, who has held the job in a temporary capacity for 10 months.
Sumida replaced Donna Fay Kiyosaki, who became a deputy manager for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply in September.
Corrections
Boisse Correa is assistant chief, Regional Patrol Bureau, with the Honolulu Police Department. His title was incorrect in yesterday's Star-Bulle-tin.
Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffDead pilot identified; FAA seeks information
HILO -- Police have identified the pilot who was killed in the plane crash at Hilo airport Sunday as Hans W. Hablig, 51, of San Lorenzo, Calif.Hablig had stopped in Hilo to pick up fuel in the process of ferrying a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron from Honolulu to California, police said.
Witnesses said the plane caught fire and the tail broke off and disintegrated as the plane was taking off.
Hablig was married and had two daughters, police said.
The Federal Aviation Administration is asking anyone who saw the accident to call 961-2311.
Kauai policeman faces child sex abuse charge
LIHUE -- A Kauai police officer has been indicted on one charge of kidnapping and 18 counts of sexual abuse involving a girl under the age of 14 .The indictment alleged that officer Nelson Gabriel had been fondling the child between September 1997 and May of this year. The allegations do not appear to involve Gabriel's conduct while he was on duty as a police officer and stemmed from a complaint brought by Child Protective Services.
Gabriel, 34, a seven-year veteran, was arrested June 28 and arraigned Tuesday. He pleaded innocent and was freed on $50,000 bail.
Most recently a patrolman in Waimea, he has been assigned to a desk job with the department until the criminal case is resolved. Trial was tentatively set for Dec. 20.
In other news ...
Five people were injured in a collision involving two vehicles early this morning that slowed downtown-bound traffic at the intersection of Pali Highway and School Street.Two women, ages 45 and 30, were taken to Queen's Hospital, where they were listed in fair to stable condition. The condition of the other people involved was not immediately available.
The incident was reported at 5:50 a.m.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
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